David Skidmore has served at the local, diocesan, provincial and church-wide levels of the Episcopal Church, beginning at age 10 as an usher and acolyte at St. Paul’s in Walla Walla, Washington. As the spouse of an Air Force officer, he had the opportunity to serve on vestries of three congregations in Anchorage, Alaska; Grand Forks, North Dakota; and Great Falls, Montana; as well as serving as editor of diocesan periodicals in Alaska and North Dakota. In 1992 he was appointed communications officer and later canon for communication for the Diocese of Chicago, serving until June 2011. During his time in Chicago, he served on the official news team for five General Conventions, and on the news team of the 1998 Lambeth Conference, the decennial gathering of bishops from throughout the Anglican Communion. Over that same period, he served on the board of the Episcopal Church’s Province V as chair of the communication program unit. He also served on the board of Episcopal Communicators, the planning committee for the Religious Communication Congress 2000 and 2010, and on the advisory committee of Episcopal News Service. Along the way he attended and reported on over 200 diocesan council meetings, and over two dozen diocesan conventions. Since moving to Door County in 2013, he has been active as a greeter, reader and chalice bearer at St. Luke’s in Sister Bay. At the 2014 Diocesan Convention he was elected to a three year term for Executive Council. He is involved in the Door County Art League as chair of publicity and the Door County Dog Sleds, a non-profit that focuses on education.

DOUG SCHWARZ, Junior Warden

Karen and I relocated to Door County from the Milwaukee area over 22 years ago. Our friend, Marion Marcellus, was responsible for opening the door of the St. Luke’s community to us back when we were still meeting at Scandia. We have been grateful and thankful every since.

As far as my background, I grew up in Minnesota. I attended St. Olaf College and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Mortuary Science. After working for my father in family business for seven years. I decided to “go in a different direction” and broke into the investment brokerage business. I arrived in Milwaukee in 1985 and met Karen shortly thereafter. We were married in 1986. We moved to Door County in 1992 and opened a retail shop specializing in handcrafted pottery and original art. We established Riley and Schwartz Investment Advisors in 1996. (Karen’s maiden name is Riley.) Our investment business continues to sustain us. I have observed the growth of our congregation and I know we are very blessed to be a part of this community.

KAREN SCHWARTZ, TREASURER

Doug and I moved to Ephraim in 1992 from Brookfield, WI after we both had tired of the “corporate rat race”. We established and operated Red Oak Pottery & Gifts in Ephraim for ten years. We also started Riley & Schwartz Investment Advisors in 1996, which still keeps us busy today. We purchased The Cook Book Kitchen Store in 2004, which Jen manages with our support as well as Jenna’s help. We were received into St. Luke’s on May 29, 2003. We are so very grateful to Marion Marcellus for introducing us to this wonderful community. It has been very remarking to experience St. Luke’s growth over the past 11 years and look forward to what is yet to come. The Canterbury Room has already opened the door for many community opportunities for us. Between our family, our friends, our businesses and the St. Luke’s community, life is good in Door County!

RALPH BLANKENBURG (Vestry Member – Term Expires 2019)

BETSY ROGERS (Vestry Member – Term Expires 2020)

STEVE ELLIOTT (Vestry Member – Term Expires 2019)

GEORGE HUGHES (Term expires – 2020)

I was surprised when Ray Osinski asked if I would consider joining the Vestry. After all, Sue Raye and I had been attending St. Luke’s for less than two years and actually joined about eight months earlier; so, naturally I had doubts about accepting. I consulted with Sue Raye and Mother Barb and their assurance along with Ray’s explanation of his reasons for asking convinced me to accept the nomination. Obviously, when three people you greatly respect tell you that you have the ability and talent to do a job, you say yes.

I join the Vestry as the newest member of the team that leads St. Luke’s in its ministry. Just like a rookie on any team, I will observe, learn, and, when appropriate, offer suggestions that I hope will improve the team performance. I will be attentive to the congregation, to better understand their concerns and ideas, which I will present to the Vestry; so, these concerns and ideas will be included in the decision making process.

Lastly, I wish to thank the congregation for electing me to the Vestry and promise I will work as diligently as the other Vestry members to keep St. Luke’s a thriving and successful Parish.

KAREN MALZAHN (Term expires – 2021)

CAROL ANN OSINSKI (Term expires – 2021)

In 2001, shortly a3er we moved to Door County, Ray and I were invited to aend a service at St. Luke’s. It didn’t take us long to experience the warmth and friendliness of the parish community. We felt welcomed from day one. In the past, we always sought out small parishes in which we could connect with people of like interests and grow both spiritually and intellectually. St. Luke’s has become our second family. Currently, I am a member of the altar guild and the kitchen commiee. I also bring communion to residents at Scandia Village, and serve as reader and usher, (along with Olive and Stella, our two granddaughters). Addionally, I have been the editor of the E-News since it’s incepon in 2009. It has been an enjoyable role keeping members informed of upcoming events in our parish community. This will be my second me on the vestry. I look forward to serving the parish as best as I can in whatever capacity is required as a vestry member. My hope is to work toward maintaining our sense of commitment to the community at large as well as our parish community. I also plan to make every effort to maintain the “smallness” of our parish while working toward increasing the growth of our community both in numbers and in spirituality.